For sheer diversity, Morocco is the perfect destination. We explore the imperial cities of Marrakech, Meknes and Fez, and continue our journey to the mountain ranges to the south, where sand dunes and kasbahs are scattered among palm oases inhabited by friendly Berbers. A highlight of our trip is a camel trek in the Sahara and a night at a Bedouin camp. We fit in a visits to Todra Gorge, the beautiful 16th century kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, and enjoy a village walk in a picturesque valley of the High Atlas. We complete the trip with a walk along the sandy beach of Essaouira.

Itinerary

A modern and commercial seaport, Casablanca is a complete contrast to the Morocco we are soon to explore. This morning we visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. We take lunch in Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, but second to Casablanca in importance. Although mostly modern, Rabat has an excellent old quarter that we take time to explore before striking out over the northern plain to Meknes. The scenery change as the landscape becomes more cultivated,this being one of the most fertile areas of Morocco.See more images and videos

3Day 3Explore the Roman site of Volubilis and Meknes; to Fez.

Sultan Moulay Ismail's old capital of Meknes is our first example of one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco. The morning is free to wander the narrow streets and explore the souk, perhaps having yourt first chnace at bartering for souvenirs. In the afternoon we take a short drive to the largest and best kept Roman ruins in Morocco – Volubilis,once a large Roman town. After exploring this site we continue our journey to Fez, where we spend two nights.See more images and videos

4Day 4Guided tour of Fez.

This fascinating city is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded over a thousand years ago, Fez has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges) including the 9th century al-Karaouine University, whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. The medina in Fez is one of the largest in the world, an immense and confusing warren of souks home to thousands of craftsmen with their tiny shops opening onto the narrow alleyways. Noisy and pungent, hot and claustrophobic, the medina of Fez is a totally absorbing and unique experience. Our city guide shall walk us through different sections of the souk - from those selling leather to the brass and copper souks. And of course, no visit to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina we shall visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace and drive to a panoramic viewpoint over the medina.See more images and videos

5Day 5To Merzouga.

Today we have a long journey over the Middle Atlas, down through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada, (flat stony desert) gradually approaching the spectacular site of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge (inn) on the edge of the dunes where it is easy to climb their summits to watch the sunrise.

There is time today to explore the largest sand sea in Morocco or to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famed for its pink dunes that take on a spectacular rose colour at sunset. In the late afternoon we partake in a genuine Saharan experience - a 2-hour camel trek through the dunes to an oasis, where we spend the night in a simple Bedouin camp.See more images and videos

7Day 7To Todra Gorge.

After sunrise, we leave our desert camp and travel, by camel, back to the auberge where we can have a shower before heading west towards the little town of Tinerhir and onwards to Todra Gorge for the night. Our hotel is set against the backdrop of the impressive walls of the gorge itself and we can spend the evening watching the rocks change colour with the setting sun.See more images and videos

8Day 8Optional morning walk; palmery tour around gorge

We spend the day in the magnificent gorge of the Todra River. There is the opportunity to take a five hour guided walk, or to relax in the gorge, walking beneath vertical cliffs rising up to 400m. In the afternoon there is the option of a guided palmery tour.See more images and videos

9Day 9Journey to Telouet, via the famous Kasbah Ait Benhaddou.

Leaving Todra Gorge, we re-join the main road and drive west along the 'Route of the Thousand Kasbahs' via Ouarzazate and on to the well-preserved Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most spectacular sights of the Atlas, made famous as the location of several Hollywood films including 'Gladiator'. After admiring the view, we may see something of the simple village houses. Continuing into the mountains we branch east through a wide flat mountain valley, finally arriving at Anmiter. Where we leave our bus and take an hour's picturesque walk on a gentle uphill gradient the village of Tijzha, where we spend the next two nights. (Our bags will be transported to the gite for us).See more images and videos

10Day 10Full day walking in the High Atlas.

We start our day with a four hour walk through the villages of the Tijhza Valley, heading up into the hills on mule tracks with the peaks of the High Atlas acting as a fitting backdrop to our walk. The afternoon is free to relax with a book, enjoy the mountain views, take a stroll through this beautiful landscape or challenge the local children to a game of football! Tijhza is just one of four villages in this remote valley that has been supported by Exodus for over ten years on various projects requested by the Village Association, such as building a water tower. Our latest project is a traditional Hammam (Moroccan steam bath) that is helping with hygiene standards in the village. There is an opportunity to try out the facilities (charged locally)
Please see our website or the Responsible Tourism section for more information.See more images and videos

11Day 11Over High Atlas to Essaouira.

Leaving the gite, we walk back to our bus for a short drive to the fortress of Telouet. Although abandoned and crumbling, we absorb the atmosphere of this labyrinthine, fairy-tale like structure. We continue our scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, driving over the Tizi'n'Tichka, which at 2,260m, is the highest road pass in Morocco. The scenery is spectacular and there are some wonderful views of the mountains. The second half of the trip brings us to the flat arid plains of Marrakech and then onwards to Essaouira.

A free day in Essaouira, a charming old Portuguese fishing port overlooking the Atlantic Ocean coast. The settlement dates back to the 15th century but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir. Today, the town is extremely relaxed and its whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan's workshops, boatyards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to the desert, kasbahs and cities we have so far visited on this trip. Our hotel is situated in the heart of the old walled city, where we have plenty of time for some shopping in the souks or strolls along the picturesque beach. With many pleasant cafes and some outstanding seafood restaurants we have plenty of choice for our evening meal.See more images and videos

13Day 13To Marrakech, the 'Pink City; guided tour.

After breakfast we head for Marrakech and in the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour to help us find our feet and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide will take us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs. We end in the Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is worth seeing this renowned landmark in the evening, as Marrakech revolves around the open-air central square. With the food stalls, snake charmers, juice-sellers and acrobats, it is a place of night-time entertainment for both local people and tourists. See more images and videos

14Day 14Free day in Marrakech.

Today is a free day in Marrakech and there is no shortage of things to do. You might like to visit the largest Mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia, or venture through the souks and old streets of the medina. After bartering for souvenirs, there will be time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After this unwind by taking a ½ hour Calèche ride (a bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and owned by Yves St. Laurent. A final treat would be a hammam, (traditional Moroccan steam bath). See more images and videos

Your images

Adult Group

This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts and 4 dinners

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Arrival & departure transfers

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotel, Gite & Bedouin Camp

You will spend 10 nights in en suite 3 star hotels. You will also spend 1 night in an auberge, 2 nights in a mountain gite and 1 night camping, all with shared facilities. Morocco is opening up more and more to mainstream tourism. However, accommodation standards are more often comparable with those found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

You can request a single room on this trip subject to availability. The cost of the single supplement is GBP180 which applies to hotel nights only and therefore does not cover any nights spent in the mountains, desert or Bedouin camps.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
No visa required by British passport holders.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Holiday style

This trip provides an insight into the enormous variety that Morocco has to offer, including cities, history, architecture, desert and mountain scenery. We spend quality time in the places that matter, the pace is not rushed but a couple of the journeys are long. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch your legs. Accommodation standards are below that of Europe and more comparable to that of Sub-Saharan Africa. The temperatures in the cities may also be hot in the summer months but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day.
During Ramadan, our local guides and drivers choose to work and so we continue to run trips in this period. However, it does need to be recognised that the energy levels of our local staff may be a bit lower and that some restaurants may be closed during the day. Having said this, Ramadan is a unique time to visit a Muslim country - each evening the streets empty for an hour while everyone breaks their fast, and there's a feeling of festivity in the air every night. Please check the dates of Ramadan upon booking if this is of concern or interest.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts and 4 dinners included.

Moroccan food is generally excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Meals eaten out are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only about GBP4 (approx. . USD6.50). In main towns it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal and French wine will cost anything from GBP20 (approx. . USD30) upwards. Generally dinner is likely to cost between GBP5-10 (approx. . USD8-15) depending on what you drink. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are reasonably priced, but you can pay UK prices or more for imported alcohol. Your leader will recommend restaurants for each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian cous cous and tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural or trekking sections of the trip.
Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including
detailed itinerary and full kit list

Weather & seasonality

From April to June, and in September, Marrakech and the north are pleasantly hot, with temperatures averaging 26degC in the day and falling to 16degC at night. It is unusual for there to be much humidity so it is quite pleasant except at midday when the sun is very strong. Desert temperatures are similar to those in Marrakech, with the nights usually a little cooler and the days a little hotter. Mountain temperatures are cooler than in Marrakech.

In the winter months, the daytime temperatures in Marrakech are around 18 to 22degC with night temperatures falling to 4 to 7degC. The days should be clear and sunny, and a particularly attractive feature of the winter months is the clear views of the snow-covered Atlas. The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher than those prevailing north of the mountains. There is a small chance of rain and it has been even been known to snow very infrequently in January and sometimes February on the higher desert plateaux (in which case it is cold at night and early in the morning on the southern side of the Atlas).

Gallery

Reviews & community

This was a brilliant trip with a wide variety of landscapes and interesting cultural highlights to marvel at. Not a trip for the wildlife enthusiast as not many birds or other animals but still well worth the intensive immersion in all things Moroccan .

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Our stay in the village in the High Atlas was magical. It reminded me a bit of Shangri La in 'Lost Horizon' with the cultivated valleys covered in fruit trees in blossom with a backdrop of mountains in the most striking colours.

What did you think of your group leader?

Abdullah was fantastic. Patient, knowledgeable and efficient. We couldn't have asked for a better leader.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

One word of caution - it is VERY cold in the cities in winter - we were expecting it in the countryside - but be prepared and take lots of layers. If you have room, a hot water bottle and travel kettle are worth taking.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The camel ride to our desert camp. It was nearly sunset on the on our 1 hour journey by camel . The scenes and colours were amazing.

What did you think of your group leader?

Yaya was a good guide always there to help without being over powering.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If you go in December or in Morocco's winter take plenty warm clothes for day and night. The walks can be quite rugged and difficult so wear walking boots for support. Take plenty dina when you arrive as sometimes banks and exchanges were not always open.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

an excellent trip, plenty of diversity. Being Dec/Jan the weather was a lot colder than I expected and I did't pack enough warm clothes. I expected being in the desert and in the mountains would be cold but not in some of the cities we visited. However there was wall to wall sunshine and this made the 2 weeks very colourful. We found the local people very friendly and the shopping areas easy to walk around without too much hassle.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Medina in Fez was exciting and we had a great local guide who knew her way around so well.

What did you think of your group leader?

Yaya our group leader was very helpful without being too pushy. He looked after us very well and had loads of local knowledge. He took us out to dine most nights and helped sorting out menus and drinks.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

make sure your clothing is right for the time of year you are travelling. Take a reasonable amount of local money as some times the banks and ATM's were shut. Take very strong walking boots in Toddra Gauge as the paths are very rugged and uneven.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We travelled on a Sunday and had loads of trouble getting in touch with someone on the out of hours help line.

Questions about your trip

Are sleeping mats provided?

Yes! When not staying in a hotel, you will always have a foam sleeping mat or full mattress if staying in a gite.

Danuta Janik - Customer Operations

What can I expect from Fez?

Fez is one of the most exciting cities I've ever been to! It's a city locked in time, with it's endless miles of alleyways, shops, hawkers and craftsmen working in gold, silver and pretty much anything you can imagine. Noisy and pungent, hot and claustrophobic, it's one of the most authentic places you can ever visit for a real taste of North African life.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Do I really have to ride a camel?!

Riding a camel is a fun and truly memorable experience and, although it can be a bit bumpy at times, it is a true taste of this part of the world and shouldn't be missed. Saying that, if you really would rather not do it, you can always walk alongside the group, but this will be hot and tiring - much easier just to jump on board!

Danuta Janik - Morocco Operations

Do I really need a sleeping bag for just one night?

For departures from June to late September, a sleeping bag liner will be sufficient (so a sleeping bag is not needed) and blankets are provided locally should there be the occasional chilly evening. For April, May and October departures, a 3 season sleeping bag is needed. As it becomes colder between November and March, we recommend a 4 season sleeping bag, however it is best to check the weather before departure as it can be warm enough for a 3 season.

Amanda Ceraolo - Product Manager

Tips from staff who have done the Highlights of Morocco

LuggageA normal suitcase on wheels is fine and what I imagine most people will have with them. I took a rucksack only because that's what I always use (and I don't have a decent suitcase!) but most of my group had soft sided bags with wheels and a handle.

ClothingThe only thing I found handy which I don't think is on the packing list was a light scarf - good when it's sunny to protect you and also if it's windy or dusty in the desert. You can also just pick up something similar locally in one of the markets (the souk in Fez is amazing and great for shopping).

In terms of footwear, you would get away with something like a solid trainer or walking/ trail shoe. Something with ankle support isn't a bad idea for a couple of the walks but this is really erring on the side of caution more than anything else.

Do I need to cover up?They are quite used to tourists in the larger cities, it's more in the countryside and smaller towns that you probably need to be more aware of clothing. Shorts to the knee should be fine. You will see in the more touristy cities (Marrakech, for example) some tourists walking around in less (I saw some French girls in bikinis walking down the main avenue!) but this is not advised, both in terms of cultural sensitivity and safety.

MoneyThere are plenty of places to change money, from the airport to banks in the cities. You'll usually meet the leader before you do anything else and he will advise where is best, depending on who wants to change what and how much. I just changed my money at the airport when I arrived, and then I think topped up at an ATM towards the end which was quite easy. Make sure you let your bank know in advance if you want to do this.

InternetI didn't use the internet a lot myself, apart from sending some emails when we passed through Fez. I'm pretty sure some of the hotels have Wifi, and some definitely had computers in the lobbies you could use. There are also internet cafes in all major towns and cities. Again, just ask the leader when you want to use something and he can point you in the right direction.

The hotelsThe gite has mattresses on the floor and it's just nice to have something between you and them, so a liner is advised. They have big blankets but to be honest, some people found them a bit smelly (not all of them, but some!) so it's just more comfortable to have something between you and them.

Pretty much all the hotels will have towels, but I take a small hand towel with me normally anyway, and it's handy for the gite and camp.

Will Shoubridge - Sales

Is Marrakech easy to get around?

You will find taxis everywhere but the only way to travel around the city and soak up the atmosphere is to jump in a Calesh! If there’s one thing, you do make sure you enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride around the old walled city or medina. Your hotel can arrange for a caleche to collect you pick one up from the ‘taxi rank’ at the entrance to the Djemma el Fna or main square.

Ben Roseveare - Marketing Director

Anything I shouldn't miss in Marrakech?

Marrakech is truly a taste of Morocco at it's best. Grab a seat in the huge main square, the Djemma el Fna, and watch the world go by while sipping some mint tea. It's been a place of entertainment for locals for hundreds of years and is packed with everything from food stalls to snake charmers! The Majorelle and Menara gardens are also well worth a visit, and offer some peace in the middle of this hectic city.

At night, anyone looking for somewhere to chill out in the heart of the medina should try the Café Arabe, which has some of the best modern Moroccan food around, as well as great views from their rooftop terrace!

Kim Christie - Customer Operations

What is Moroccan food like?

Moroccan cuisine is very diverse, with many influeneces due to the interaction of Morocco with the outside world for centuries. The cuisine of Morocco is a mix of Berber, Moorish, Mediterranean and Arab influences. The main Moroccan dish most people are familiar with is couscous, usually eaten with beef or lamb. Chicken is also very common and the importance of seafood is increasing, especially on the coast. Vegetarians won't have any problems either, although choice can be more limited in remote locations.

The common and tasty tajine is everywhere, a mouth watering stew with meat and vegetables. Green tea with mint is the drink of choice, and you can pick up bocadillos (sandwiches) from street stalls everywhere - you won't go hungry!

Olly Leicester - Sales

What is the best way to take money to Morocco?

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham and cannot be imported or exported, as it is a 'closed' currency. We suggest you take your personal spending money in good condition notes, either in £, Euros or US$. Local costs - it depends! - £2-4 per day to cover postcards, small souvenirs, soft drinks etc; £15 a day for food is fine (if it's not included).

Danuta Janik - Morocco Operations

What kind of clothing is best in a Muslim country?

You are visiting a predominantly Muslim country, therefore you should dress modestly at all times when visiting cultural sites, and there may also be times when you are asked to 'cover up'. During your trip the tour leader will always advise you on appropriate dress for each day's activities.

If you are asked to 'cover up', you'll need to cover your shoulders, arms and legs. We recommend packing lightweight trousers or a long skirt, and a long sleeved shirt. Women may also be required to cover their hair with a scarf if entering a mosque or religious quarters.

Jim Eite - Product Manager

Will Ramadan affect my trip?

Please note that the holy month of Ramadan will take place during specific dates each year, the actual dates will be listed in the respective Trip Notes. This is a time when followers of Islam do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. This can sometimes affect the opening hours of certain tourist sites. However we will ensure that that the itinerary is affected as little as possible if you travel during this period. Food and drink is available to tourists during the day.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

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